THE PATUXENT RIVER RURAL LEGACY  RIDE takes cyclists on a 62 mile (100 Kilometer) tour of this beautiful countryside, from Mt Calvert in the north to Eagle Harbor in the south.  The terrain is rolling, with some fast flats and fun hills.  Two optional shortcuts provide shorter routes of 24 or 46 miles.  [Google maps of the routes]

REGISTRATION is from 7:00 to 9:00 am at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary Visitors’ Center.  The ride ends at 3:00 pm.  Advance registration is $15 for riders 18 and older ($20 on ride day.)  Children 17 and under ride free, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and must have the entry form release signed by a parent or guardian.

Register by mailing in the online registration form or register online at active.com. Pre-registration is not required.

Your registration fee covers

• Food and drink at four locations
• Marked route
• Map and cue sheet
• Sag service
• After-ride picnic

DIRECTIONS TO MERKLE: [See http://tinyurl.com/3bb9gg for a Google map]

• From Washington Beltway, exit 11 at Pa. Ave., take Route 4 toward Upper Marlboro for 7.9 miles
• After Upper Marlboro, take US 301 south for 3.8 miles
• Take LEFT at Croom Rd (382) and go south for 6.5 miles (do not take the left at St. Thomas Church Road to Merkle)
• Turn LEFT on Nottingham Rd; go 1.7 miles
• Turn LEFT on Fenno Rd; go 0.9 mile
• Turn RIGHT into Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and go 1.2 miles to the Visitor's Center

Sponsored by the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club   ohbike.org